Method and apparatus to construct metal securement member for an aircraft

Abstract

The invention relates to a mounting device in an aircraft. In one aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for assembling a metal securement member of the mounting device. In another aspect of the invention, a mounting device is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for installing and using a mounting device in an aircraft.

We claim: 
     
       1. A clamping assembly, comprising:
 a base which defines an elongated trough wherein the trough comprises opposing sidewalls and a bottom, wherein the opposing sidewalls are sloped such that the opposing sidewalls are closer at the bottom than at a top of the trough, and wherein the trough is adapted to receive a pi chord securement member which comprises spaced apart arms, a cap which overlies an end of each of the spaced apart arms and wherein the spaced apart arms are positioned transverse to the cap; 
 an insert positionable between the spaced apart arms of the pi chord securement member; 
 two wedge members comprising a first wedge member positionable between one of the opposing sidewalls and an arm of the spaced apart arms of the pi chord securement member and a second wedge member positionable between another of the opposing sidewalls and an opposing arm of the spaced apart arms of the pi chord securement member; and 
 at least one clamp cap positionable to overlie at least a portion of the cap of the pi chord member such that the portion of the cap is positioned between the clamp cap and at least one of the two wedge members. 
 
     
     
       2. The clamping assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the arms are formed of at least one of a titanium alloy, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, or a nickel alloy. 
     
     
       3. The clamping assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the arms converge toward each another as the spaced apart arms extend away from the cap. 
     
     
       4. The clamping assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a weld fixedly attaches each arm to the cap. 
     
     
       5. The clamping assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the spaced apart arms comprise:
 a first arm, a second arm, and a third arm, each arm separated by a predetermined distance; 
 the insert disposed between the first arm and the second arm; and 
 a second insert disposed between the second arm and the third arm. 
 
     
     
       6. The clamping assembly of  claim 1 , further including a spar member configured to be fixedly retained between the arms when the insert is removed. 
     
     
       7. The clamping assembly of  claim 6 , further including a plurality of apertures formed proximal to a first end of each arm to permit an adhesive to contact the spar member, and fill voids between each arm and a portion of the spar member. 
     
     
       8. A clamping assembly, comprising:
 a base block having an upper surface; 
 a first cap clamp and a second cap clamp, each cap clamp having a bottom surface, each cap clamp overlying the upper surface of the base block and extending substantially along a length of the base block; 
 the base block having an elongated trough formed therein, the elongated trough defined by opposing sloped sidewalls and a bottom portion, wherein the trough is adapted to receive a pi chord securement member, the pi chord securement member comprising at least two spaced apart arms and a planar cap which overlies a first end of each of the at least two spaced apart arms, wherein the at least two spaced apart arms positioned transverse to the planar cap; 
 an insert positionable between the at least two spaced apart arms; 
 a first wedge member received between one of the opposing sloped sidewalls of the trough and an arm of the at least two spaced apart arms; 
 a second wedge member received between another of the opposing sloped sidewalls of the trough and another arm of the at least two spaced apart arms; 
 the planar cap of the pi chord securement member fixedly retained between the bottom surface of each cap clamp and the upper surface of the base block; and 
 wherein compressive pressure between the clamp caps and the base block fixedly retains each of the spaced apart arms between a corresponding wedge member and the insert so as to retain the arms at a fixed angle relative to the planar cap of the pi chord securement member. 
 
     
     
       9. The clamping assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the arms are formed of at least one of a titanium alloy, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, or a nickel alloy. 
     
     
       10. The clamping assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the arms converge toward each another as the spaced apart arms extend away from the planar cap. 
     
     
       11. The clamping assembly of  claim 8 , wherein a weld fixedly attaches each arm to the planar cap. 
     
     
       12. The clamping assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the spaced apart arms compnse:
 a first arm, a second arm, and a third arm, each arm separated by a predetermined distance; 
 the insert disposed between the first arm and the second arm; and 
 a second insert disposed between the second arm and the third arm. 
 
     
     
       13. The clamping assembly of  claim 8 , further including a spar member configured to be fixedly retained between the arms when the insert is removed. 
     
     
       14. The clamping assembly of  claim 13 , further including a plurality of apertures formed proximal to the first end of each arm to permit an adhesive to contact the spar member, and fill voids between each arm and a portion of the spar member. 
     
     
       15. The clamping assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second wedge members have a height less than a distance defined between the upper surface of the base block and the bottom portion of the elongated trough, such that the wedges do not contact the bottom portion of the elongated trough.